Neurons
primary information carrying cells
Glia
serve many functions that support neurons, transmit information locally
Soma
cell body
dendrites
receive information
axon
transmits signals away from soma to other neurons, muscles, and glands
myelin
protects axons, white fatty substance wraps around
terminal buttons
small knobs that secrete nuerotransmitters
motor neuron
cell body in spinal cord, axon projects to muscle
sensory neuron
specialized sensory ending in the skin or other sensory tissue, axon projects to spinal cord
interneuron
thinking neurons in brain or spinal cord, for local connections
mirror nueron
special neurons related to behavior, fires when we act or observe behavior
Current
movement of ions across a barrier
potential
a net difference in electrical charge across a physical barrier
resting potential
stable negative charge when cell is inactive (-70 mv)
action potenial
electrical impulse that travels the axon, enabling neuron communication
all or none law
neuron either fires or doesn’t
synaptic cleft
gap between nuerons
neurotranmitters
chemicals that transmit information from one neuron to another (lock and key)
post synaptic potential
a voltage change at a receptor site on postsynaptic membrane
excitatory PSP
increase likelihood of firing
Inhibitory PSP
decrease likelihood of firing
somatic nervous system
controls voluntary muscles+ sensory info
What do the brain and spinal cord do
control the central nervous system
Auto nervous system
controls automatic functions
